Performance
Score Breakdown
Montreal
Akron
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montreal is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% lower compared to Akron.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montreal's average rent is
20% higher than Akron's.
| Metric | Montreal | Akron | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,351 | $1,123 | +20% |
| Groceries | $356 | $742 | -52% |
| Utilities | $107 | $234 | -54% |
| Transport | $100 | $357 | -72% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $130 | -45% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,586 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Akron offers 27% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Akron delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montreal is estimated at
$42,780 vs $66,000 in Akron.
| Metric | Montreal | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,475 | $73,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,780 | $66,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,881 idx | 85,882 idx |
| Household Income | $45,335 | $48,076 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montreal | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Akron has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Montreal.
Montreal scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montreal leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montreal | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 77.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 87.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 39.78 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montreal is the larger city
— approximately 10.3x the population of Akron.
From a growth perspective, Montreal is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Akron has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montreal | Akron |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,945,359 | 189,664 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.30% | % |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montreal
Advantages
Montreal boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals and events year-round, including the Just For Laughs Festival and the Montreal Fireworks Festival.
The city is highly walkable (Walk Score 87) and offers excellent public transportation (Transit Score 77), reducing the need for a car.
Montreal is North America's most bike-friendly city, with over 1,065 kilometers of bike lanes and paths.
The cost of living in Montreal is generally more affordable than in other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Montreal's economy is diverse and resilient, with strong growth in sectors like aerospace, information technology, and digital media.
Drawbacks
Crimes against persons and hate crimes increased in Montreal in 2024.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, with Montreal ranking among the most congested cities globally.
While overall rent is more affordable than some major cities, average rent prices have been consistently increasing.
The unemployment rate, while showing recent declines, climbed to 7.8% in 2024 before improving to 6.8% by December 2025.
The average commute time in Montreal is 29 minutes, which is among the highest in Canadian metro areas.
Akron
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Akron is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the national average, with average monthly rent at $1,123 and median home prices around $153,000.
Akron has a diverse economy with strong industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and the polymer sector.
The city offers a public transportation system (METRO RTA) with affordable monthly passes at $50.
Healthcare costs in Akron are approximately 14% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Akron has a high crime rate, with an overall crime rate 50% above the national average and a safety grade of C-.
The city is experiencing a projected population decline of -0.9% annually.
Akron has a negative job growth rate, with a 0.461% decline in employed population in 2024.
The lifestyle in Akron is largely car-dependent, with most errands requiring a vehicle and an average Walk Score of 48.
The median household income of $48,076 in 2024 is below the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Montreal
#5Quebec, Canada
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,351
Avg Salary
$53,475
Cost Index
63
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
77.0/10
Walkability
87.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.30%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
85
Business
75
Akron
#102Ohio, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$73,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
65
Business
55
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